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Friday, January 25, 2013

A History of George Field Part II

Part II of the History of George Field taken from the Program Insert on November 4, 1984 at the dedication of the marker erected by the Historical Society:

"The “Battle of George Field” was the name applied to the
period beginning May 21st, 1943, when the entire command fought the flood waters.
It was impossible to get to either Lawrenceville or Vincennes from the airfield
except by boat. The flood threat imperiled Vincennes, and countless farm families in
Illinois were isolated when the levee broke on the Wabash River. Victory over
the flood was celebrated at the Field with a holiday on June 12, 1943.

From its opening in the Spring of 1942 and through more than
three years of great activity, classes graduated, anniversaries were
commemorated, and the citizens of the local area were invited to the annual
Open Houses. Both communities of Vincennes and Lawrenceville had responded by
creating housing for off- base living, and all citizens of the areas were interested
in the operations of the Field.

In August 1944, there was a large increase of cadets in
training. George Field changed from an Army Air Force Pilots School to a
Transportation Carrier Command School. The final review under Col. Edwin B.
Bobzein and his staff occurred on August 4, 1944, the day the last class of
pilots graduated.

Soon after the successful operation of D-Day, rumors were
heard that George Field would close. This rumor was true, and such plans
developed in early 1945. Vincennes University was granted the use and
supervision of housing units for G.I. students; the land was leased to area
farmers. Lawrenceville then made application to the War Assets Administration
to acquire George Field. An application dated May 4, 1948, signed by Stoy Fox,
Mayor of Lawrenceville, resulted in the “transfer of George Field to the city
of Lawrenceville, Illinois, as per application, and acceptance of this was
dated 5-2-48 (sale date.)” Document 6923671.

After November 16, 1948, when the deed to the Field was
acquired by the city of Lawrenceville, the Field was called the Lawrenceville Municipal
Airport. The lease money from the land was used by Lawrenceville to maintain
the airport; this use of land lease money has been continued to the present.

By June 14, 1964, negotiations created a locally controlled
operation known as the Bi-State authority. This Bi – State Authority was the
only one in the United States composed of a committee across state lines
operating a common facility. The Lawrenceville Municipal Airport was given a
new name; after June 14, 1964 it was called the Lawrenceville – Vincennes Municipal
Airport.

On February 20, 1980, the name of the field was changed
again, this time to Mid- America Air Center with a secondary name of
Lawrenceville – Vincennes International Airport. It is still controlled by the
Bi- State Authority. The housing was
torn down when no longer needed, and industry had been sought over the years to
make this facility something of an industrial park.

At present two industries operate on the grounds. The
airport is actively used by both small and larger aircraft and as a training
area by Vincennes University in its pilot training programs. At one time
several commuter services were offered, but they are no longer available. It is
hoped that good use of the facilities can be developed in the future.

George Field has served its country well.”

Reminisces of events concerning George Field from the speech Stoy Fox made at the Dedication will be published in the April Newsletter for Society members...If you have not paid your membership dues, please do so now, so your name can be placed on the membership mailing list. ($25 individual; $35 family- annual dues. See Publication page for printable membership form--click 'publications' on top right hand corner of blog page to print it out.) Don't forget business meeting at the Museum 7:00 pm MONDAY Night! Jan 28,2013